Refrigerator door



Oct. 18, 1955 E. H. SCHWENKER ETAL 2,720,683

REFRIGERATOR DOO R 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 2; 1953 20 /ZQHJ is i fm/efyozf 5%@ 15.7

United States Patent Oice 2,720,683 Patented Oct. 18, 1955 REFRIGERATOR DOOR Eric H. Schwenker and Michael H. Scott, Evansville, Ind.,

assignors to International Harvester Company, a corporation of New Jersey Application January 2, 1953, Serial No. 329,431

13 Claims. (Cl. 20-35) This invention relates generally to refrigerator doors, and more specifically to a refrigerator door having novel means for mounting decorative panels to the outer surface of the door.

It is an object of this invention to provide a refrigerator door with means whereby decorative panels may be removably mounted to the outer surface of the door.

It is another object of this invention to provide means for a refrigerator door whereby decorative panels of different thicknesses may easily be mounted upon the outer surface of the door.

lt is a feature of this invention that novel trim strips and retainer strips are mounted about the edge of a refrigerator door for maintaining decorative panels mounted to the outer surface of the door.

Other objects and features of this invention will be apparent upon a perusal of the following specification and drawings of which:

Figure l is a front plan view of a refrigerator door embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the refrigerator door shown in Figure l and taken along the line 2 2;

Figure 3 is a partial front plan view of another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view of the refrigerator door shown in Figure 3 taken along the line 4 4; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the portion of the refrigerator door shown in Figure 3 and designated with the dotted circle and the numeral 5.

The present embodiments are the preferred embodiments but it is to be understood that changes can be made in the present embodiments by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

For a detailed description of the embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, reference is made thereto. A trim strip 20 is shown as mounted about the outer marginal edges of the refrigerator door. This trim strip 20 is shown as formed in two sections to facilitate the mounting thereof about the outer marginal edges of the refrigerator door. The two sections are joined at the junctions 23. The junctions 23 may be made at other positions along the trim strip 20 than those positions specifically shown in Figure l. The trim strip 20 partially maintains three decorative panels 24, 25 and 28 positioned against the outer surface of the refrigerator door. The panel 28 has an opening 29 therein, through which the door handle (not shown) may project.

The refrigerator door is formed of an outer panel 10, an inner panel 13, insulation 14 disposed between these panels, door gasket 16 and screw means 18 for maintaining these parts assembled as a unitary structure. The outer marginal edges of the outer panel are shaped toform a side wall 11 extending thereabout. Projecting inwardly from the side wall 11 and extending thereabout is a flange 12. The door gasket 16 is formed of a resilient material such as rubber and has a general cross section as shown in Figure 2. A portion of the door gasket 16 is mounted on the flange 12 of the outerrpanel 10 and the outer marginal edges of the inner panel 13 to act as a breaker strip. A series of holes are formed through the outer marginal edges of the inner panel 13 and the flange 12, the portion of the door gasket 16 mounted between the flange 12 and the inner panel 13. Screws 15 are threaded through these holes to maintain these parts assembled as a unitary structure. The remainder of the door gasket 16 projects over the outer marginal edges of the inner panel 13, so that when the refrigerator door is mounted to a refrigerator cabinet (not shown) the door gasket 16 will seal the outer edges of the refrigerator cabinet.

Turning to the details of the means for maintaining the decorative panels mounted against the outer panel 10, a retainer strip 17 is mounted about the side wall 11 of the refrigerator door. The retainer strip 17 has a series of longitudinal openings therein, and the side wall 11 has a series of holes formed therethrough which are positioned in alignment with the longitudinal openings of the retainer strip 17. The longitudinal axis of the longitudinal openings in the retainer strip 17 are positioned transversely of the length of the retainer strip 17. Screws 19 are threaded through the longitudinal openings in the retainer strip 17 and the openings in the side wall 11 to maintain the retainer strip 17 rigidly mounted against the side wall 11. The retainer strip 17 has a flange on each side thereof projecting away from the refrigerator door, as can easily be seen in Figure 2. The trim strip 21') is positioned about the outer marginal edges of the refrigerator door and spring mounted to the retainer strip 17. The trim strip 20 is generally channelshaped and has flanges 21 and 22 formed thereon. A portion of the flange 21 is bent over as can easily be seen in Figure 2, to give the flange 21 some resiliency. The flange 22 is mounted in cooperation with one of the flanges of the retainer strip 17, and the flange 21 of the trim strip 20 is pressed over the other flange of the retainer strip 17 to maintain the trim strip 20 rigidly mounted to the retainer strip 17, and to permit easyremoval of the trim strip 20 from the retainer strip 17.

Further, a retainer strip 40 is also provided. This retainer strip 40 is formed in the shape of a wide channel and has flanges 26 formed at the sides thereof. The shape of the flanges 26 can easily be seen in cross section in Figure 2. A number of holes are provided in the retainer strip 40, and a corresponding number of holes are provided in the outer panel 10 in a broad band transversely across the outer panel 10, substantially at the height of the handle of the refrigerator door. Spring clips 27 are pressed through the holes in the trim strip 40 and the holes in the outer panel 10 to maintain the retainer strip 40 mounted to the outer panel 10. The decorative panels 24, 25 and 28 are positioned against the outer surface of the outer panel 10 and are maintained thereagainst by the flanges 21 of the trim strip 20 and the flanges 26 of the retainer strip 40.

It is intended that the panels 24,25 and 28 be formed of any convenient material such as plastic, wood or some fiber board, and may be colored or printed with different patterns. These panels can be of varying thicknesses, and these varying thicknesses are easily accommodated by an adjustment of the position of the retainer strip 17. This adjustment is made by a removal of the trim strip 20, a loosening of the screws 19 and a sliding of the retainer strip 17 along the longitudinal axis of the openings therein to the required position, and by then tightening the screws 19 and replacing the trim strip 20. The retainer strip 40 is formed of a material having some re-V siliency, and further, the flanges 26 are formed, as can easily be seen in cross'sfion in Figure 2, of a width sufficient to 'permit the use 'of the resiliency 'of the 're= tainer strip 40 in a spring action of the flanges 26, whereby iditerernt thicknesses of the decorative panels 24, A25 and 2s be .accommodated by the flanges 25 f the etamrstrip d e Feria detailed description of the embodiment shown in Figures '3 thrngh 5, reference is made thereto. In this embodiment ne retainer sfr-ip 17 is provided. The ftaihe'r strip 40 is the same as provided in the afore- ':lscribedV embodiment. In this embodiment theltrim sfpis 'formed as aA channel-shaped strip extending ab''the outer marginal edges of the refrigerator door with the ange 422 in cooperation with the ange 12 of the outer panel and with the ahge 21 in cooperation with the outer marginal edges of the decorative panels '24,725 and '28, as can easily be seen in Figure 4. The

strip "20 is discontinuous at a point at the bottom vof 4the refrigerator door, so that' the trim strip 29 can be mounted as described. The ends of the trim strip 20 each have adhole therein, and the side wall 11 of the outer panel L10 also has holes therein which are in alignment with the holes in the ends of the trim strip 20.V

Sl'crews 30 are mounted through these holes to maintain the Vtrim strip 20 iixedly mounted about the outer marginal edgesof the refrigerator door. The trim strip 20 in turn rigidly maintains the decorative panels 24, V25 and 28 positioned dOOr- Y lAas shown in Figures 2 and 4, the outer surface of the refrigerator door is substantially at. This is preferred if very rigid decorative panels are used. However, if the decorative panels havesome resiliency, the outer panel 10 may then be formed to have a curvilinearcross section along one axis of the outer panel 10. The decorative Vpanels may then be easily bent to conform to that curvilinear cross section and maintained against the outer surface of the refrigerator door.

It is intended that the embodiment shown in Figures 3 through 5 Vmay be modied by the forming of a longitudinal `slot along the portion ofthe trim strip 20 positionedV at the Vtop of the refrigerator door, or in the portion of the trim strip 20 disposed along one vertical side of the refrigerator door, so that the decorative panels can be inserted or -removed through these slots without the necessity for removing the screws 30 to in 'turn remove the strip 20 from the refrigeratordo'or. Y Y Y `Having described the invention, whatjis considered 'new and 'desired to be .protected by Letters Patent iis:

against the outer surface of the refrigerator 4l. In -a refrigerator door having side walls, a decorative panel positioned against the outer 'surface of said door, -`a

channe'bshaped retaining strip :mounted about the outer marginal edges Yof said decorative panel and v'said door, said retaining 'strip further vformed to'be discontinuous at a point'vlocated at the bottom of 'said door, 'and securing means secured to each end of said `retaining strip and to VtheV bottom of said door for maintaining said retaining strip mounted about said door, whereby said decorative panel is maintained nin said position against said outer 'surface. Y Y

2. [n=a*rfrige'rator d'o'o'r having side walls, a decorative panel positioned against 'the 'outer surface of s'aid'door, a channel-shaped retaining strip mounted with the legs of outer surface between said panels and cooperating with said panels for maintaining "said panels mounted in said positions against the outer surface of said door.

4. in a refrigerator door having side walls, three decorative panels, one of said panels positioned against the Y outer upper surface of said door, the second of said panels positioned against the outer lower surface of said door, the thirdV of said penels positioned against the outer surface of said door between said'one and said second of said panels, means mounted to said side walls and 'to the portions or' 'Said outer surface between adjacent edges ofV said one and said third of said panels and between 'adjacent edges of said second and said third of said panels and cooperating with said panels rfor maintaining said panels mounted in said positions against the outer surface of said door.

5. in a refrigerator door having side walls, two decoative paneis, one of said panels positioned against the enter upper Vsurface of said door, therother of said panels positioned against the outer lower surface of said door, a trim strip positioned about the edges of said door, a llange v on one side of said trim strip mounted to extend over the outer marginal edges of said decorative panels which are positioned adjacent to Vthe edges of said door, a ysecond flange on Athe other side of said trim strip, means mounted to said side walls and cooperating with said 'lrst and second anges of said trim strip for maintaining said trim strip mounted aboutthe edges of said door, a second trim strip positioned to said outer surface and transversely of s'aid door between said decorative panels, a pair of flanges formed 'on said second trim strip, the vfirst of said iianges of said second trim strip .positioned over the lower edge of said one of said panels, the second ange of said second trim 'strip positioned over the upper edge of said face of said door, whereby said decorative panels are l maintained in said positions against said outer surface of said door.Y

6. In a refrigerator door as claimed in claim 5, said'rst means comprising a retainer strip pressure lpositioned be-V .K tween said lirst and `second anges of said first trim strip,

said retaining strip positioned over the outer marginal Y' edges Vof said 'decorative panel Aand said door, V"whereby said decorative panel is maintained against `said outer surface, a longitudinal vslo't :extending along the portion of `said Y retaining strip .positioned at the top of -'said Idoor, whereby said decorative panel mayv be removed and replaced through 7said longitudinal slot.

A -3-. -In la refrigerator door Vhavin'gside Walls, two decorative panels, one `of said panels lposition'ed against the'out'ei upper surface of Ysaid doorf, the 'other of -said panels Lpositioned against the outer lower lsurface of said door, tmeans Y mounted to saidrside walls and ito the portion of -`said and means for securing said retainer strip to said side walls. Y -V ,Y v

' 7. In a refrigerator door as claimed inrclaim 6, said means for securing said retainer strip to said side walls comprising a plurality of screws threaded through fsaid side Walls, said retainer strip having longitudinal slots therein, said longitudinal slots positioned transversely of said vretainer strip, said screws mounted through said longitudinal slots, whereby said retainer strip is slidable transversely of the edges of said door to move said first ia'ngeV toward and awayA from said outer surface, whereby decorati've panels'of different thicknesses maybe maintained in said positions against said outer surface of said door.

8. In a refrigerator door as claimed in claim 5, said second trim strip having a plurality of openings therethrough, said outer surface of said door having afplurality of openings therethrough Vmatching said openings 1in said second trim strip, said last mentionedvgmeans comprising a plurality of resilient clips, said clips mounted through said openings in said second trim strip and in 'said outer surface of said door to maintain `said second strip in `said position against `said outer 'surface of 4said door. Y I

9. A refrigerator door comprising an outer panel formed to have side walls at the outer marginal =edges thereof, -an` inwardly extending Vflange formed Aat the outer marginal edges of said side walls, an inner panel, fa gasket, means-Y for 'mounting said gasket to the outer marginal edges of Y s'aid `inner .panel and for mounting said outer marginal edges of said inner panel to said flange, insulation posed between ysaid panels, a trim lstrip having a pair of Y flanges thereon, means cooperating withv 'said 'pair of flanges for mounting said trim strip to said side walls with one of said flanges of said trim strip extending over and some distance from said outer panel, two decorative panels, the rst of said decorative panels positioned against the upper portion of said outer panel with the side and top edge portions of said rst decorative panel positioned between said one of said flanges of said trim strip and said outer panel, the second of said decorative panels positioned against the lower portion of said outer panel with the side and bottom edge portions of said second decorative panel positioned between said one of said flanges of said trim strip and said outer panel, whereby the side and top portions of said first decorative panel and said side and bottom portions of said second decorative panel are maintained against said outer panel, and means mounted to said outer panel between said pair of decorative panels for maintaining the lower edge portion of said iirst decorative panel and the upper edge portion of said second decorative panel against said outer panel.

10. A refrigerator door as claimed in claim 9, wherein said last mentioned means comprises a second trim strip mounted transversely of said outer panel between said pair of decorative panels, said second trim strip having a pair of anges thereon, the iirst of said anges of said second trim strip disposed over the bottom edge of said first decorative panel, the second of said anges of said second trim strip disposed over the top edge of said second decorative panel.

1l. A refrigerator door as claimed in claim 10, wherein said second trim strip is further formed to have another pair of flanges thereon, a third decorative panel positioned against said outer panel between said rst and second decorative panels, said second pair of flanges of said second trim strip formed to project over the upper and lower edge portions of said third decorative panel, whereby said third decorative panel is maintained against said outer panel.

12. In a refrigerator door having side walls, a decorative panel positioned against the outer surface of said door, a trim strip positioned about the edges of said door, a ange on one longitudinal edge of said trim strip mounted to extend over the outer marginal edges of said decorative panel, a second flange on the other longitudinal edge of said trim strip, means mounted to said side walls and cooperating with said rst and second flanges of said trim strip for maintaining said trim strip mounted about the edges of said door, whereby said decorative panel is maintained in said position against said outer surface of said door, said last mentioned means comprising a retainer strip pressure positioned between said rst and second flanges of said trim strip and means for securing said retainer strip to said side walls, said means for securing said retainer strip to said side walls comprising a plurality of screws threaded through said side walls, said retainer strip having longitudinal slots therein, said longitudinal slots positioned transversely of said retainer strip, said screws mounted through said longitudinal slots, whereby said retainer strip is slidable transversely of the edges of said door to move said rst flange toward and away from said outer surface, whereby decorative panels of different thickness may be maintained in said position against said outer surface of said door.

13. A refrigerator door comprising outer and inner panels and having side walls interconnecting the outer marginal edges of said inner and outer panels, a decorative panel positioned against said outer panel, a trim strip positioned about said side walls, a ange on one longitudinal edge of said trim strip mounted to extend over the outer marginal edges of said decorative panel, a second flange on the other longitudinal edge of said trim strip, means mounted to said side walls and cooperating with said rst and second flanges of said trim strip for maintaining said trim strip positioned about said side walls, whereby said decorative panel is maintained in said position against said outer panel, said last mentioned means comprising a retainer strip pressure positioned between said rst and second flanges of said trim strip and means for securing said retainer strip to said side walls, said means for securing said retainer strip to said side walls comprising a plurality of screws threaded through said side walls, said retainer strip having longitudinal slots therein, said longitudinal slots positioned transversely of said retainer strip, said screws mounted through said longitudinal slots, whereby said retainer strip is slidable transveresly of the edges of said door to move said first ange toward and away from said outer surface, whereby decorative panels of different thickness may be maintained in position against said outer surface of said door.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,860,250 Kellogg May 24, 1932 1,919,266 Wetzel July 25, 1933 2,220,827 Place Nov. 5, 1940 2,559,087 Philipp July 3, 1951 

